We plan to make our candidacy official and announce our position soon.
Heo Jeong-moo (69), former chairman of Daejeon Hana Citizen, is running for election as the next president of the Korea Football Association.
Former Chairman Huh Jeong-moo said in a phone call with News 1 on the 18th, “A few days ago, I made up my mind to run for the association president election. “We plan to officially announce our candidacy soon,” he said.
As a result, former Chairman Huh Jung-moo became the first candidate to challenge the next election of the Korea Football Association to be held on January 8th next year. There is a prevailing expectation that Chairman Chung Mong-gyu, who currently leads the Korea Football Association, will run for a fourth term, but he is reticent to say anything for now.
Former Chairman Heo said, “The soccer world is in turmoil recently. “I decided to run for office because I thought soccer people should step up and correct this,” he explained.
Korean soccer has been noisy since last year.
Last March, 100 soccer players, including those who were expelled for match-fixing, were granted a surprise pardon, causing great controversy.
Then, in February, coach Klinsmann was fired after showing below-expected performance at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup and failing to take control of the team. The national team, which spent March and June in international matches under a temporary coaching system, appointed coach Hong Myung-bo in July, but suspicions of unfairness and opacity arose again in this process. There is constant noise throughout.
Former Chairman Heo Jung-moo said, “I thought soccer players needed to speak out. “I thought a lot about it,” he said.
Former Chairman Huh Jung-moo was a legend who played in 104 international matches during his career, and after retirement, he also served as the national team coach. In particular, in 2010, he advanced to the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, becoming the only domestic coach to advance to the round of 16 of the World Cup.
Former Chairman Heo, who finished his leadership career as manager of Incheon United in 2012, served as vice president of the Korea Football Association in 2013 and vice president of the Professional Football League in 2015. He served as chairman of the Daejeon board of directors from 2020 to last year.
(Seoul = News 1)
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What are Huh Jung-moo’s main goals if elected as president of the Korea Football Association?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Huh Jung-moo, Candidate for President of the Korea Football Association
Time.news Editor: Good day, Mr. Huh Jung-moo! Thank you for joining us today. You’ve recently announced your candidacy for the presidency of the Korea Football Association. What motivated you to take this step?
Huh Jung-moo: Thank you for having me! Honestly, my decision to run comes from a deep concern for the current state of Korean soccer. The sports world has seen serious turmoil lately, and I feel that soccer people need to step forward to make changes and restore integrity within the system.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned some notable incidences, such as the mass pardon of players involved in match-fixing and the instability with the national team coaches. How do you plan to address these issues if elected?
Huh Jung-moo: Firstly, transparency is crucial. My goal is to ensure that there are clear processes and accountability in all matters, especially when it comes to player behavior and coaching decisions. I want to engage actively with players, coaches, and fans to foster an environment where everyone feels heard and valued.
Time.news Editor: It’s an ambitious plan, to say the least! You have a rich history in football as a player and a coach, including your remarkable achievement of leading the national team to the FIFA World Cup round of 16 in 2010. How do you think your past experiences will influence your leadership in the Korea Football Association?
Huh Jung-moo: My experiences have taught me that success in football comes from strong teamwork and communication. I believe that my background as both a player and a coach gives me a unique perspective. If given the opportunity to lead, I will prioritize collaboration among all stakeholders—players, coaches, and associations—to create a more harmonious football environment.
Time.news Editor: You are the first candidate to declare your candidacy, while current President Chung Mong-gyu has not yet confirmed whether he will run for a fourth term. Do you see this as an opportunity for change in the association?
Huh Jung-moo: Absolutely. While Mr. Chung has had his achievements, it’s clear that the community is calling for fresh ideas and perspectives to address the challenges we’re facing. Change doesn’t always happen easily, but I’ve always believed that constructive discourse and new leadership can drive positive transformation.
Time.news Editor: There’s a palpable concern among fans regarding the direction of Korean soccer. Can you share your vision for the future?
Huh Jung-moo: My vision is one of revitalization—reestablishing trust, pride, and performance in Korean soccer. We need to create future pathways for our players, enhance our youth development programs, and ensure that our national teams are competitive on the international stage. I envision a football community that celebrates our talents while working together to overcome existing challenges.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Mr. Huh. Your commitment to bringing about positive change in Korean soccer is commendable. As you prepare for your official announcement, do you have any final thoughts for our audience?
Huh Jung-moo: I encourage everyone in the football community to engage in this conversation. Soccer belongs to us all—players, coaches, fans, and administrators. Your voice matters, and together, we can create a brighter future for Korean football.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your time today, Mr. Huh. We look forward to seeing how your campaign unfolds and wish you the best of luck!
Huh Jung-moo: Thank you! I’m excited about the journey ahead.